Warning over using dirty wood in animal bedding

The Environment Agency issued guidance on Friday (June 14) which says that it is aware that some dirty material is being used to produce bedding and that it is working with the wood recycling sector to raise awareness of the issue and clarify the regulatory position.

The guidance explains that at present under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, sites taking shredded waste wood must have a registered U8 exemption but this only allows for untreated or grade A waste wood to be used to produce animal bedding.

But, the Agency notes that what has been found is that contaminated treated waste wood (grades B and C) has been shredded and marketed for animal bedding thus creating a risk to livestock and the environment.

It adds that waste wood from MRFs, civic amenity sites or construction and demolition sources are unlikely to be of sufficient quality to be used to produce animal bedding warning that it will take the appropriate enforcement action where such material is used.

Clean wood

The Agency explains that sources of clean grade A material include packaging waste, pallets and process off-cuts from the manufacture of products made from untreated timber.

The guidance stresses that at present where clean waste wood is shredded to a high specification and that retailers or wholesalers have carried out risk assessments before selling the material, the Agency will not take enforcement action unless it results in risks to the environment or human health.

It adds: We are working with the wood recycling sector to find an appropriate long term regulatory approach for the continued used of high quality animal bedding from clean shredded waste wood.

The publication of the Environment Agency guidance comes just a week after the Agency issued guidance explaining that only clean grade A wood can be composted and subsequently sent to land (see letsrecycle.com story) and forms part of its work to ensure consistent regulation in the wood recycling sector.

Commenting on the document, Peter Butt, executive director of the Wood Recyclers Association (WRA), said: I applaud the fact that the Environment Agency has started communicating more on the subject of waste wood.

The WRA supports the Agencys regulatory position that you cant use lower grade waste wood for animal bedding. Those who are compliant want to see a consistency of regulation.

Mr Butt added thatthe WRA wasin discussions with the Agency over where the evidence of risk is with a view to potentially relaxing the rules in future.